Mark Stone says he wants to stay with the Senators long-term

The Ottawa Senators winger hasn’t had any discussions with the club about a new contract even though he could become a restricted free agent on July 1, but says he’s not the least bit concerned because, as a player with rights to arbitration under the National Hockey League’s collective agreement, he knows he’ll be back at training camp in September.

If the Senators needed a glimpse of life without one of their best players, they’re getting it now. Stone missed his seventh consecutive game Tuesday night after injuring a leg Jan. 10 against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Making $3.5 million in the final year of his current contract, Stone and the Senators know he’s going to get a healthy raise, but the organization’s priorities this summer include re-signing him and getting an extension done with captain Erik Karlsson.

“I haven’t had any (discussions) yet,” Stone told this newspaper Tuesday morning at Canadian Tire Centre. “I think they’ve got a lot on their plate. I’m confident in myself to just play out the year.

“As a restricted free agent, you kind of know you’re going to be back, so I’m not worried about it right. I just want to get healthy right now and then try to finish out this season by playing as hard as I can, win as many hockey games as we can, and then the rest will take care of itself.”

If Senators general manager Pierre Dorion wants to talk about a long-term deal, Stone is all ears even with all the difficulties the club has been through this season.

Drafted 178th overall in 2010, Stone, 25, has spent his whole pro career in the Senators’ organization and doesn’t have any desire to go elsewhere. The club came close to getting to a Stanley Cup final last spring and he’s confident this team can return to its winning ways.

“Most players want to (sign long-term). I don’t think players come into a season trying to move on from things like this,” Stone said. “There’s going to be change, and you never know … I could be one of those guys being changed.”

Stone said there was frustration in going from the Eastern Conference final last spring to dropping out of playoff contention this season.

“We kind of got a taste of how good this group can be last year, so, when you have years like this, for me personally, and I can’t speak for everybody, I’ll be excited to get back to work on Sept. 1 when this season ends. I just hope I’ll be part of the solution and not part of the problem.”

General manager Pierre Dorion has spent two days in Barbados with owner Eugene Melnyk, discussing plans for the Feb. 26 NHL trade deadline and beyond. Part of it includes keeping Stone in the mix.

Several teams have shown interest in forwards Mike Hoffman, Zack Smith and Jean-Gabriel Pageau and defencemen Cody Ceci, Dion Phaneuf and Johnny Oduya. It’s a safe bet this team won’t look the same after the deadline.

“When your team struggles the way we’ve struggled, as players you can’t be so naive to think there won’t be changes,” Stone said. “Every team in the league that struggles makes changes. They’re trying to make their team better.

“Pierre is going to try to make our team better and our organization better. It’s exciting. Hopefully we can work something out when this season is done and get this team headed in the right direction.”

Stone said his contract situation would take care of itself. Given the opportunity to attend the world championship with Canada’s team in the spring, he likely wouldn’t do so unless he already signed a new contract.

“You hope to get something done for as long as you can to stay with this group,” Stone said. “I want to be here, but you know how things go. Sometimes it’s harder for some guys and easier for other guys.

“Once the season ends, I’ll probably look back, see where I’m at and see where the team’s at. I’m excited with where this team can go. Like I said, I want to be here and I want to be part of the solution. I’ve been able to come to the rink and put (contract issues) aside and just concentrate on the team and concentrate on the 22 guys that are here.

“I’m not so worried about it. It’s tougher for guys who are unrestricted free agents, who wonder where they’re going to be next year and where they’re going to play. I’m not worried right now. I want to win some games with the guys that we have here.”

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